Höyrystymisjäähdytysputki

Höyrystymisjäähdytysputki, commonly known in English as a heat pipe, is a passive heat transfer device that employs a phase change process to transfer heat. It consists of a sealed tube containing a working fluid, a wick structure lining the inner walls, and a porous matrix. The heat pipe operates on the principle of evaporation and condensation.

When heat is applied to one end of the pipe, known as the evaporator section, the working fluid within the wick vaporizes. This vapor then travels rapidly through the hollow interior of the pipe to the cooler end, the condenser section. At the condenser, the vapor releases its latent heat and condenses back into a liquid.

The condensed liquid is then drawn back to the evaporator section by capillary action through the wick structure, completing the cycle. This continuous circulation allows for very efficient heat transfer with minimal temperature difference along the pipe. The working fluid is chosen based on the desired operating temperature range, with examples including water, ammonia, and various refrigerants.

Heat pipes are utilized in a wide array of applications where efficient heat dissipation is crucial. These include cooling electronic components like CPUs and GPUs in computers, thermal management in spacecraft and satellites, industrial heat exchangers, and even in some advanced building climate control systems. Their reliability, lack of moving parts, and high thermal conductivity make them a popular choice for thermal management solutions.